Genomic testing for neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders encompass a wide range of conditions in which
there are abnormalities in the development of the brain. They share the common
feature of neurocognitive deficits that occur in affected individuals during
childhood, before entering puberty, with a higher prevalence in males, and
varying degrees of persistence throughout life. Examples of such
neurodevelopmental disorders include developmental intellectual disorder,
autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy.
By timely identifying the genetic basis for the development of these
disorders, a personalized approach to treatment can be enabled, which involves
developing treatment recommendations. This approach targets the available
therapeutic options, including pharmacological and psychosocial interventions,
or behavioral therapy.
Neurogenomax testing is a genomic testing method that is performed on a patient’s isolated DNA with the aim of analyzing the genomic region associated with the development of
neurodevelopmental disorders, especially developmental intellectual disorder
and autism spectrum disorder. This type of testing is carried out using a chip
developed by a team of experts from the University of Zagreb’s School of
Medicine, where genetic material testing is also performed.
The team leader of experts is Professor Fran Borovečki, a neurologist and
subspecialist in neurodegenerative diseases and the head of the Center for
Translational and Clinical Research at the School of Medicine, as well as the
Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neurogenomics at the Zagreb
Clinical Hospital Center.
Neurogenomax testing services are available to healthcare professionals who take the necessary blood samples frompatients for DNA isolation. Based on the test results, the team of experts analyzes them and, in the case of detecting individual genetic variations,
assesses the likelihood of developing a particular neurodevelopmental disorder.
This allows for monitoring the course of the disease before the onset of the
first symptoms. In addition, in the case of detecting an inherited genetic
variation, the probability of the disorder occurring among relatives is also
evaluated.
University of Zagreb, School of Medicine
Center for Translational and Clinical Research
Professor Fran Borovečk, Ph.D. Head of the Center
E-mail: fran.borovecki@mef.hr
